fall back

verb

Definition of fall backnext
as in to withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) resistance from native forces was greater than expected, and the invading army was forced to fall back

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of fall back But now that the war has entered its eighth month, with no end in sight and gas prices surging again, consumers don’t have that cushion to fall back on. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 When that information gets exposed, the burden of watching for fraud suddenly falls back on us. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 The school falls back on procedure to keep a lid on things, and a school violence review committee wraps up without a firm finding. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 And after falling back slightly this week, bond yields are on the rise again. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fall back
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall back
  1. withdraw
  2. retreat
  3. drop back
  4. pull out
  5. retire
Verb
  • The man fell into a coma and succumbed to the disease on October 9, 2026, after life support was withdrawn.
    — Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
  • As joyful crowds took to the streets to celebrate the students' victory on Sunday, some in the crowd stoned the withdrawing police and dismantled a camp used by Vucic loyalists in a park in central Belgrade for more than a year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of withdraw
Verb
  • The arrival of fall is no reason to retreat into the usual browns, grays, and blacks—a pop of color has long been a transeasonal Jennifer Lawrence signature.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Even when lawmakers go through with regulations, industry pushback can force retreat.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of retreat
Verb
  • Georgia won six of its first seven SEC matches but has dropped back-to-back matches to Texas A&M and Missouri.
    — Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 28 Oct. 2026
  • During the second quarter of this year there were 14 immediate jeopardy findings, representing a spike, but in the third quarter the numbers dropped back down to eight.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of drop back
Verb
  • The Chiefs appeared to have pulled out a thrilling victory Sunday in Denver.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Two men wearing ski masks entered the club, which was hosting a costume party, and at least one of them pulled out a gun and fired into the crowd on the dance floor, CNN affiliate WAPT reported.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of pull out
Verb
  • Megill retired Richie Palacios on a grounder to second to end it, threw his arms in the air and was mobbed by teammates near the mound while Brewers fans celebrated in the stands.
    — Rob Maaddi, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Amid the onset of Parkinson’s disease, Lincoln retired from the museum in 2014.
    — Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of retire

Browse Nearby Words

fall away
fall back
fall back on
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fall back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20back. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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